Houllier explains Liverpool FC remarks

Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier has explained comments he made to press following Villa’s 3-0 defeat to Liverpool on Monday night.

After goals from David N’gog, Ryan Babel and Maxi Rodriguez inflicted defeat on Villa, the former Reds boss, who returned to Anfield for the first time competatively since he left in 2004, said, “If I have got to lose 3-0, I would prefer it to be to them as I like Liverpool.”

Houllier has made it no secret that he will forever hold a special place for Liverpool Football Club in his heart.

Earlier this season he sat in the Reds’ dugout for Jamie Carragher’s testimonial game against Everton, and spoke of his delight at the club’s “happy ending” when NESV completed their £300million takeover of the club.

Today Houllier explained Monday’s comments, stating, “No-one likes to lose 3-0 against any team and, if comments I made in the immediate aftermath of our defeat by Liverpool have been misconstrued – comments which were intended to be humorous, by the way – let me put them into context.

“The experiences I enjoyed with Liverpool some years ago will always stay with me, as will many experiences I have had in football both before and since, and I have taken all these experiences into my job as manager of Aston Villa.”